Catholic Extension Society was proudly founded in Chicago in 1905 to work in solidarity with people to build up vibrant and transformative Catholic faith communities among the poor in the poorest regions of America. This movement that began in this city has shaped Catholicism in America for more than a century through a wide variety of programs that were created to address the changing needs of the times — not the least of which includes the construction and repair of more than 13,500 church facilities. In 2008, when I was new as president of Catholic Extension Society, I went to Orlando, Florida, for a national meeting of lay ecclesial ministers. The keynote speaker at the event was the bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota: Bishop Blase Cupich. I listened to him give a masterful talk on the theological and spiritual grounding of lay ecclesial ministry. As he spoke, I imagined what a blessing it would be to have a thought leader like him on Catholic Extension Society’s Board of Governors. Not only was he filled with great ideas, but he was also steeped in the realities of his people as a “mission bishop.” He spoke from his experience as a shepherd serving a diocese that is 43,000 square miles (twice the size of Croatia!) and includes five distinct Native American reservations. I believed that a bishop from a diocese with such cultural richness and deep faith among its people, coupled with tremendous economic poverty and pastoral challenges, could bring incredible insights to our mission. He enthusiastically said “yes” to joining our board, and immediately became the chairman of our Mission Committee, tasked with listening to the hopes, dreams and needs of faith communities served by Catholic Extension Society throughout the country. In this role, he enabled us to be a true strategic partner to the pastoral visions of the voiceless in our church. Bishop Cupich brilliantly served in this capacity even after he moved further west from Rapid City to the Diocese of Spokane, Washington, in 2010. He still personally attended every meeting in Chicago, logging many miles as he traveled back and forth. In September 2014, I remember how thrilled I was when I saw the news that Pope Francis had chosen our own Bishop Blase Cupich to lead the church of Chicago. In that role, he would also become the ex officio chancellor of Catholic Extension Society. How fortunate we were to have someone who knew the experiences of the people we support as the new head of our board. We could not have asked for anyone better as our leader. He shares our passion for our mission, which touches the lives of 15 million Catholics spanning 40 states and territories from Alaska to Puerto Rico. He is a source of constant encouragement, urging us to keep listening to peoples’ hopes and dreams. Even better, he brings courage and resoluteness in times of uncertainty and difficulty. Most important, I doubt that Catholic Extension Society — which was named a papal society by Pope St. Pius X in 1910 — has ever been as close to the spiritual vision of the Holy Father as we are today. Being a cardinal of the universal church, Cardinal Cupich has drawn us closer to Pope Francis’ revolution of tenderness and mercy which moves our church toward the peripheries. The results of Cardinal Cupich’s contributions to Catholic Extension Society over these past 10 years as our chancellor have been undeniable: • Here in Chicago, he encouraged us to launch a mission immersion program with archdiocesan priests. This innovative program allows pastors to experience the beauty of the church’s missionary frontiers in this country, like the U.S.-Mexico border or the tribal lands in the West. Many of these pastors have since raised funds to express their solidarity with the parishes they visited. This initiative, which began with a few Chicago priests, has now expanded to 77 dioceses and 500 parishes. • During his 10 years as our chancellor, the financial impact of Catholic Extension Society’s partnership with Catholic communities across the country has exceeded $1 billion—more than in any period of our storied history! This means that the church in our country is stronger among the poor, and it is growing thanks to his leadership and vision. • He has spearheaded Catholic Extension Society’s recovery program in Puerto Rico, with the aim of rebuilding 600 Catholic churches and schools damaged by hurricanes and earthquakes. It is the largest recovery effort in the church’s history in America. He did this in response to Pope Francis’ request, realizing that Catholic Extension Society’s 120-year relationship with the island of Puerto Rico enabled us to take on this massive program. Cardinal Cupich’s 10 magnificent years as our chancellor represent a decade of true progress. In addition to all that he has done in this great city, we in the church of Chicago must appreciate his powerful impact around the country through his work with Catholic Extension Society. We thank him for the energy he has brought to our team. And, we unabashedly declare, “Ad multos annos!”
Cardinal Cupich: 10 years as archbishop of Chicago A decade ago, Cardinal Cupich arrived in Chicago as its archbishop, the first since Chicago became an archdiocese to take over for a surviving ordinary. Since then, he has worked to keep the church in Chicago vital and united during a time of deep division in the nation. The following is an overview in roughly chronological order of Cardinal Cupich’s first 10 years in Chicago, as reported in Chicago Catholic and often in his own words.
Book by Cardinal Cupich inspires new series on the Eucharist Inspired by Cardinal Cupich’s book “Take, Bless, Break, Share: A Strategy for a Eucharistic Revival” (Twenty-Third Publications), the archdiocese’s Office for Lifelong Formation and Office for Divine Worship produced “Remain In Me,” a five-part series on the eucharistic revival.
Cardinal Cupich visits with migrants at Oak Park parish The number of migrants coming to the St. Catherine-St. Lucy campus in Oak Park for help with basic needs has swelled so much that it has outgrown the former rectory on the site and will move to the first floor of St. Edmund School starting this month.